BackgroundSafety and effectiveness of efficacious antiretroviral ARV regimens beyond single-dose nevirapine sdNVP for prevention of mother-to-child transmission PMTCT have been demonstrated in well-controlled clinical studies or in secondary- and tertiary-level facilities in developing countries. This paper reports on implementation of and factors associated with efficacious ARV regimens among HIV-positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in primary health centers PHCs in Zambia.

MethodsBlood sample taken for CD4 cell count, availability of CD4 count results, type of ARV prophylaxis for mothers, and additional PMTCT service data were collected for HIV-positive pregnant women and newborns who attended 60 PHCs between April 2007 and March 2008.

ResultsOf 14,815 HIV-positive pregnant women registered in the 60 PHCs, 2,528 17.1% had their CD4 cells counted; of those, 1,680 66.5% had CD4 count results available at PHCs; of those, 796 47.4% had CD4 count ≤ 350 cells-mm and thus were eligible for combination antiretroviral treatment cART; and of those, 581 73.0% were initiated on cART. The proportion of HIV-positive pregnant women whose blood sample was collected for CD4 cell count was positively associated with 1 blood-draw for CD4 count occurring on the same day as determination of HIV-positive status; 2 CD4 results sent back to the health facilities within seven days; 3 facilities without providers trained to offer ART; and 4 urban location of PHC. Initiation of cART among HIV-positive pregnant women was associated with the PHC-s capacity to provide care and antiretroviral treatment services. Overall, of the 14,815 HIV-positive pregnant women registered, 10,015 were initiated on any type of ARV regimen: 581 on cART, 3,041 on short course double ARV regimen, and 6,393 on sdNVP.

ConclusionEfficacious ARV regimens beyond sdNVP can be implemented in resource-constrained PHCs. The majority 73.0% of women identified eligible for ART were initiated on cART; however, a minority 11.3% of HIV-positive pregnant women were assessed for CD4 count and had their test results available. Factors associated with implementation of more efficacious ARV regimens include timing of blood-draw for CD4 count and capacity to initiate cART onsite where PMTCT services were being offered.

Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article doi:10.1186-1471-2458-9-314 contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.